CAMDEN, N.J. — The New Jersey City University women's volleyball team suffered a tough setback tonight, Tuesday, Oct. 5, as the Gothic Knights fell in New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) action to Rutgers-Camden on the road in three sets (25-18, 25-18, 25-23).

NJCU (10-4, 1-3 NJAC) senior middle blocker Leah Seickendick (Hoboken, N.J./Hudson Catholic) was the highlight of the night for the Gothic Knights, as she finished with a career-high-tying six total blocks, chipping in three kills. Unfortunately it was not enough as the Scarlet Raptors (11-5, 2-2 NJAC) edged NJCU in each of the three sets.

In the first set, trailing 11-3, the Gothic Knights mounted a comeback and made it a two-point game at 12-10, including a pair of service aces from senior libero Madeline Lopez (Elizabeth, N.J./Hudson Catholic) and kills from sophomore Alexis Newsome (Watchung, N.J./Hudson Catholic) and junior Xarial Chandler (East Orange, N.J./University). Unfortunately, Rutgers-Camden did not allow NJCU to get any closer than that for the rest of the set.

Set number two was all knotted up at 9-9 midway through, and then the Gothic Knights were able to keep it 18-17 in the waning points. However the Scarlet Raptors closed it out on a 7-1 run to take a 2-0 lead overall. The third set was the most competitive of the night as NJCU was edged by just two points. Trailing 16-9, the Gothic Knights came back to make it 19-18. Jersey City stayed with Rutgers-Camden every point and was down by just one at 24-23 with the match on the line. The Scarlet Raptors managed to win the last point to take the night.

Highlights:
- Reigning two-time NJAC Rookie of the Week, freshman outside hitter Rachael Pharo (Manahawkin, N.J./Southern Regional) tied the match-high with 11 kills on 25 swings with four errors (.280 hitting percentage). She added three digs, two blocks and an ace.
- Junior right-side hitter Paola Toledo (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic/Colegio Catolico San Rafael) was second on NJCU with seven kills. She also had two blocks.
- Sophomore setter Sydney Lore (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee) finished the night with 24 assists to go with five digs and a kill.
- Lopez ended the game with a match-high-tying 10 digs to go with two aces, two assists and a kill.

What's Next:
NJCU returns to the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (JMAC) for a Friday night, Oct. 8, match against non-conference foe Rosemont College. First-serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Be sure to catch all the action on GothicVision.